Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

CS1494 Rs2450

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

سعلو, Deir Ez-Zor, Sa'alu, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.141173, 40.363297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female civilian, died in an alleged airstrike on the village of Sa’alu, according to local media. The US-led Coalition and Russia were both cited as culprit, amongst multiple references to unidentified aircraft.

According to Qasioun, the Coalition bombed Sa’alu as part of an aerial offensive that targeted multiple villages in the east of Deir Ezzor – Baqiras, Sa’alu and Zubari. Qasioun noted “significant material damage” and alleged no civilian casualties.

Sdusyria was the only source that named Russia responsible, they reported “Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships launched dozens of air raids on the neighborhoods of the city of Deir Ghazur” including Sa’alu, one civilian casualty was documented in the report. @asharqasouri also reported the effects “limited to material damage”, and did not specify an actor.

A later report by Deirfree documented the death of one woman and injury of others, allegedly caused by the “spread of cluster bombs among civilian houses”, which caused “panic among the people”, they did not attribute blame. Euphrates Post subsequently named Ms. Aisha Ahmed Al-Zaher. The majority of sources did not identify the aircraft responsible, with the Coalition receiving one allegation, as did Russia. The US-led Coalition had informed Airwars that as a result of their deconfliction agreements, they had ceased to conduct strikes entirely in Deir Ezzor city.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ms. Aisha Ahmed Al-Zaher “Umm Daham” wife of Jarad Al-Hamdan
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sa’alu (سعلو), for which the coordinates are: 35.141173, 40.363297. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th - 14th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes [2 or more British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position"

For September 14th – 15th, the Coalition reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.” and "Additionally, 38 strikes consisting of 55 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 14 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Wednesday 13 September – a Reaper twice engaged terrorists on foot, as well as a truck-bomb, whilst Tornados and Typhoons struck a Daesh building, all near Dayr az Zawr…On Wednesday 13 September, another Reaper continued patrolling near Dayr az Zawr. It used two Hellfire missiles to attack terrorists spotted on foot, then employed a third missile to destroy an armoured truck-bomb positioned next to a main road. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair meanwhile targeted a group of Daesh in a building nearby, scoring a direct hit with a Brimstone.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1489 RS2448

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

الخريطة, Al Kharita, river crossing, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.479404, 40.021391 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources named one woman as killed and her husband and “some members of his family” wounded in an airstrike on a river crossing at al Kharita.

Most sources didn’t identify the culprit. However, according to Sadaa alsham, Russia was to blame for the death of one civilian in al Kharita. The regime captured the crossing on September 17th, meaning that this was highly unlikely to have been a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima al Muhammad al Muhaisin
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the river crossing at the village of Al Kharita (الخریطة). A known river crossing is further downstream in Hawayij Abu Arab, for which the coordinates are: 35.469775, 40.050530. This crossing was hit by a Russian airstrike around the same time (as can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/o3AwJ15NdW0?t=1m20s​ @1:20). However, boats may have also crossed at this location: 35.479404, 40.021391

  • Two river crossings that could potentially have been targeted near the village of Al Kharita (الخریطة)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1490 RS2438

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

الزباري, Al Zabari, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.1292971, 40.3955095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two woman died and eight other civilians were wounded in an airstrike on a school which was housing displaced people in Al Zabari, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether the Coalition or Russia carried out the strike.

According to Syrian Press Center, “an air strike targeted a girls’ school housing a number of displaced people in the town of Zubari on Thursday evening”. Other sources also reported that the school was struck but didn’t identify the culprit.

Step News Agency said that the Coalition carried out a raid on Al Zubari, while Sharqiya Voice blamed Russia, reporting that “a woman was killed and others were injured in a raid by the same planes [Russian] on a refugee school in the town of al Zubari. This resulted in the death of two women and injury of 8 others in addition to material damage”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the airstrike targeted a girl’s school housing displaced people in the village of Al Zabari (الزباري), the coordinates of this village are: 35.1292971, 40.3955095. There was a Russian cruise missile attack that day which hit a school in Al Zabari, as seen in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFkGYmed6A&feature=youtu.be&t=14s. The coordinates for this school are: 35.11430, 40.393429

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Zabari, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1487 RS2446

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

مراط, Mrat, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.31407, 40.23865 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died in an airstrike on Mrat, according to local media – though it was unclear who was to blame for this death.

According to Syrianoor, “Activists confirmed that more than 100 civilians – mostly children and women – died during four massacres committed by Russian warplanes and international coalition aircraft in the city of Mayadeen, Baqrass, Baqara, Tabiah Shameya, Khasham, Basira and Marat.”

Euphrates Post also pointed towards Russia. But other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible. They said, however, that the victim had died when his home was struck.

Later reports described locals fleeing a regime offensive on the village – making this highly unlikely to have been a Coalition action.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mr. Jassem al-Ajil
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Jassem Al-Ajeel (Abo Mohamad), killed in a strike on his home in Mrat, Sept 14th (via Hussin Abo Haidar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Mrat (مراط), for which the coordinates are: 35.31407, 40.23865. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1486 RS2445

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

البصيرة, Al Basira, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.15618, 40.42716 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died in an airstrike on al Basira, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the regime were to blame. Reports said that the strikes hit to post office building.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Moen_dndil attributed the event to the Coalition. However, Micro Syria blamed Russia, reporting that “A child was also killed in an air strike on the town of Khasham and another civilian in an air strike on the town of al-Basira in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Zour. Activists accused Russian aircraft of carrying out the raids.” The Euphrates Post also pointed towards Russia.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Qasioun, the regime was to blame.

Some other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Awwad Hasan al Saroot
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of airstrikes on l-Basira, Sept 14th 2017. (via Ahmed Ramadan)
  • wad Hassan Al-Sarout from the town of Al-Shuhail, killed in a strike on Al-Basira, Sept 14th (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the airstrike targeted the Ka’a al-Attal/Koo Attal area (outskirts) and the Al Barid (post office building) in the village of Busayrah (البصیرة). The coordinates for this village are: 35.15618, 40.42716. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify these locations further

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near al Basira, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU299912
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1485 RS2443

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

بقرص تحتاني, Bokros Tahtani, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.057081, 40.411497 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and nine civilians died including three children and one woman and up to 17 others were wounded in airstrikes on the al Qasr area of Bokros Tahtani, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the Coalition, Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

The Step News Agency and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights pointed towards Coalition airstrikes. However most other sources including Al Araby, Orient and Sharqiya Voice, blamed Russia.

According to Sharqiya, “a Russian warplane targeted the village of Bokros Tahtani, and in particular civilian homes on al Qasr Road in the centre of the village, killing nine civilians and wounding more than 17 others, in addition to the destruction of houses.”

Deir Ezzor24 reported that warplanes “bombed a group of civilians near a car who were distributing bread in the village.” Other sources said that the strikes occurred near al Qasr school.

Orient News reported “a total of 14 martyrs, mostly women and children, killed and a number of others injured as a result of Russian air strikes targeting the towns of Baqrass Tahtani and Khasham in the village of Deir al-Zour with rockets and cluster bombs.”

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, reporting: “6 civilians, including 3 children and a woman, killed in Syrian regime warplanes missiles fired on Buqrus Tahtani village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern suburbs, September 14, 2017.”

Euphrates Post also said that Khader Sa’id al-Nizhan died as a result of injuries sustained in an attack by warplanes on September 14th – though the source later told Airwars that the event occurred in Al Mayadin.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhannad al Hamid al Akoo
Age unknown killed
The daughter of Hamad al-Hussein
Age unknown female
Hussein Al-Hamad Al-Hussein Al-Hamada
Age unknown male killed
The daughter of Nizar al-Nizhan
Age unknown female killed
The daughter of Ahmad Al-Khalifa Badawi
Age unknown female killed
Wife of Nizar al-Nizhan
Age unknown female killed
Yousef Al-Hussein
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • 'Pictures showing the destruction caused by the air raid on the town of Baqras Tahtani near the palace school from the road Badia noon today.'

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Qasr (القصر) area in the village of Bokros Tahtani (بقرص تحتاني). One source describes the place as near Al Qasr school, from the road of Badia. Airwars geolocated photos of a destroyed building to this location: 35.057081, 40.411497. Satellite imagery available to Airwars suggests that the building was destroyed between 12 and 22 September, 2017

  • Structural damage seen to the building on October 1st, 2017

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

  • Based on this panorama composed of available media, Airwars was able to geolocate the destroyed building

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Bokros Tahtani, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU287802
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3 children1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    17
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1484 RS2442

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

جديد بكارة, Jadid Bakara, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.243656, 40.366945 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major civilian casualty incident took place on the village of Jadid Bakara, Deir Ezzor Governorate. Reporting remains contested and various local sources have blamed Russia, the Regime and the US-led Coalition. Between 11 and 15 civilians died, “dozens” were reportedly wounded, and the death toll included at least one women and five children.

The Euphrates Post reported “Russian warplanes” targeted “the village of Jadid Bakara with three air raids targeting the perimeter of the telephone exchange in the village and another raid targeting al Jaraf [the valley]”. Multiple sources said the raid hit close to a car where people were distributing bread.

The Euphrates Post later published a list of suspected victims.

Smart reported the Russian Ministry of Defence announcement, “the Veliky Novgorod and Kolpino submarines in the eastern part of the Mediterranean had targeted “locations” of the “Islamic State” in the south-eastern Deir es-Zour countryside (without specifying the location)”. Though it unclear if this statement relates to the incident at Jadid Bakara village.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged Moscow responsible, and referred to “shelling” by their forces, however in an earlier report they attributed blame to a “Syrian-Russian alliance”.

Two sources, Baladi and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, blamed the Coalition, SOHR noted that buildings and civilian homes were destroyed in the offensive.

A majority of sources blamed the Russians, however many of the reports are unclear on the specificities of the incident, and many suspected Russia, the Regime and the US-led Coalition to be operating in the area of Deir Ezzor at the time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdul Qadir Mohammed Al-Bakar
Age unknown male killed
Ali Hussein Al-Bakar
Age unknown male killed
Muhannad Al – Hussein Al – Bakar
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Farhan Ahmad al A’bd
Age unknown male killed
Fadila Ahmed Al – Abd
Age unknown female killed

Family members (2)

Nisrin al Farhan
Age unknown female killed
Farhan Abdul Farhan
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Najia Al-Othman Al-Issa
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • (5 children1 woman5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a post building, the perimeter of the telephone exchange and Al Jaraf ((الجرف) or the valley area) in the village of Jadid Bakara (جدید بكارة), for which the coordinates are: 35.243656,40.366945. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify these locations further

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Jadid Bakara, Deir Ez Zor, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jun 28, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 15
  • (5 children1 woman5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1483 RS2441

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

خشام, Kisham, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3020098, 40.2914143 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten to 12 civilians, mostly children and women, were reported killed following alleged airstrikes on Khishham, 15 km southeast of Deir Ezzor. The majority of sources accused Russian warplanes of committing the offence. However both the Regime and the US-led Coalition were also mentioned in reporting.

Syrian Press Center reported that Russian warplanes used “cluster bombs around the house of Aref al-Humaidi”. According to local reports a number of houses were destroyed.

Qasioun said “A squadron of Russian fighters also shelled the villages and towns of Deir al-Zour in the east with dozens of airstrikes loaded with cluster bombs, the latest of which was in the village of Khasham”.

A number of sources, including Deirezzor and @ahraralmyadein, referred to “warplanes” but did not specify a culprit.

Fresh-syria blamed both the Regime and Russia, whilst Jbc was the only source that referred to the Coalition – Jbc pointed out that the Coalition and Russia were both “committing massacres” in Deir Ezzor countryside – neither were blamed for the Khisham incident specifically.

Later reports identified victims.

According to Euphrates Post the nine children (pictured) were all from the town of Buammaru when they were killed in Khasham, the Euphrates Post alleged Moscow responsible.

Four days after the event, Euphrates Post noted “The movement of displaced people from the towns of Mazloum, Mrat and Khisham Tahtani as a result of artillery shelling by the regime forces located in the town of Al-Marayya.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Awla’a Fadel Al Mohammed Al Khamis
Child killed
Abeer Fadel Al Mohammed Al Khamis
Child killed
Aisha Fadel Al Mohammed Al Khamis
Child killed
Amal Fadel Al Mohammed al Khamis
Child killed
Emaduddin Fadel Al Mohammed Al Khamis
Child killed
Majid Fadel Mohammed Al Khamis
Child killed

Family members (3)

Mohammed Amin Hussein Ahmed Al Salama
Child killed
Amena Hussein Ahmed Al Salama
Child killed
Hussein Abed Ahmad Al Salama
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed al-Samih
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (9–10 children1–2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • From left to right: 1-the child imad Aldenn Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 2-the girl aysha Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 3-the child Majed Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 4-the girl Amal Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 5-the girl Abeer Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 6-the child Wala’a Aldenn Fadel Mohammad Al Khamis 7-The Child Mahammad Ameen Husin Ahmad Al Salama 8-the girl Ameen Husin Ahmad Al Salama 9-The child Abed Ahmad Al Salama all killed in alleged airstrikes, September 14th (via Euphrates Post)
  • “My name is Amal AlKhameis. I was killed today due an airstrike by #Russia in #Khsham east #DeirEzzor, they've killed my innocent smile” (via Euphrates Post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khisham (خشام), for which the coordinates are: 35.3020098, 40.2914143. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For September 13th-14th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position.”

For September 14th - 15th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles". It later reported, "On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (9–10 children1–2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (27) [ collapse]